Initiatives

The Energy Management and Innovation Center (EMIC) offers a variety of initiatives designed to reach out to business leaders and policy makers who are interested in more effectively managing energy resources, successfully commercializing innovative technologies, and shaping future energy policy. EMIC draws on expertise from across the University of Texas to offer a multidisciplinary approach to educate future business and policy leaders, creating a new generation of problem solvers.

Conferences and Panel Discussions

EMIC conferences and panel discussions bring together industry leaders, researchers and policy makers to discuss energy issues that influence executive decisions, national policies and public debate. EMIC members help determine conference topics and participate in panel discussions.

Energy Curriculum

The Energy Management and Innovation Center established a core of energy-specific business curriculum in accounting, finance, marketing, financial and commodity risk management, and economics and geopolitical risk. The core curriculum is complemented by electives in energy technology and policy and the environment. EMIC also supports international student energy treks.

UT Energy Poll

The University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll provides an objective, authoritative look at consumer attitudes and perspectives on key energy issues. It is designed to help inform national discussion, business planning and policy development. Conducted biannually, the online poll rates leadership on energy issues, measures consumers’ energy priorities, tracks knowledge, and influences specific energy consumption behaviors. The design reflects a collaborative effort by academics and polling experts, non-governmental organizations, large energy users and energy producers.

Empirical Research

The EMIC encourages and supports objective empirical research in the broad areas of technology commercialization, risk assessment, innovation, and energy management. The Center is currently affiliated with approximately 20 faculty researchers engaged in or planning research on energy issues such as risk analysis, consumer behavior and regulation, with planned expansion into other diverse areas.

Executive in Residence

EMIC has appointed Rob L. Jones as Executive in Residence to serve as a student and faculty mentor for the 2013-2014 academic year. Mr. Jones was formerly the Co-Head of Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Commodities (“MLC”), a leading global commodities trading business. An investment banker for over 20 years, with Merrill Lynch and First Boston, Mr. Jones has worked extensively with a variety of energy and power clients, with a particular focus on the natural gas and utility sectors. He has been involved in over $100 billion of advisory and financing transactions in the energy and power industry. Mr. Jones is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he received a BBA with a degree in Finance and an MBA with high honors and was a Sord Scholar.